Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics do not provide clinically important benefits on hemoglobin or ferritin in childrenReview of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Treating Anemia in Children

PloS one Published July 30, 2026 Study authors: Elías Solís Gladys Estheysi, Pacori Steffi Aleksandra Maraza, Huancahuire-Vega Salomon, Soriano-More… PubMed ↗ DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Sofia Müller, MD · Lifespan & Whole-Person Care

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Key Takeaway

Note that prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics do not significantly improve hemoglobin or ferritin levels in children.

This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics, administered alone or with iron, on hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and ferritin in a population of 4188 children. The study aimed to determine if these interventions could improve clinical markers of anemia.

The authors synthesized evidence showing no important effects on primary outcomes including hemoglobin, hematocrit, or ferritin. A specific finding for probiotics versus placebo suggested a reduction in anemia (95% CI: -15 to +6), but this result was associated with low certainty of evidence. The interventions were noted as appearing safe, with only mild gastrointestinal symptoms reported and no serious adverse events.

Limitations include the fact that the certainty of evidence for primary outcomes ranged from high to very low. Specifically, the finding regarding probiotic-specific anemia reduction is based on a single RCT and carries low certainty. Clinically, these products do not provide significant benefits for managing hemoglobin or anemia in pediatric patients.

How this fits prior evidence

This meta-analysis addresses a gap in evidence regarding nutritional interventions for pediatric anemia. While prior coverage noted that probiotics may be used as a safe adjunctive therapy for children with abdominal pain disorders to achieve modest symptom relief, this finding confirms that such interventions do not provide clinically important benefits for hemoglobin or ferritin levels in the same pediatric population.

Doctors looked at data from over 4,000 children to see if prebiotics or probiotics could treat anemia. These are types of healthy bacteria and nutrients that some people take to improve gut health.

The study checked if these treatments helped increase hemoglobin levels or iron stores in the blood. While some small improvements were seen in a few cases, most results showed no big changes for children taking these supplements compared to those who did not.

Safety tests showed that these products are generally safe for kids to take. Some children had mild stomach issues, but there were no serious health problems reported during the study period.

Overall, experts say that prebiotics and probiotics do not provide a major benefit for treating anemia in children. Doctors currently recommend standard care instead of relying on these specific supplements to fix low iron levels.

What this means for you:

Prebiotics and probiotics do not significantly improve hemoglobin or treat anemia in children.

Common questions

Are probiotics safe for anemic children?

In the analysis, probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics appeared safe. Only mild gastrointestinal symptoms were reported, and no serious adverse events occurred. However, the certainty of the evidence for main outcomes ranged from high to very low, so safety data should be interpreted with caution.

What is the difference between probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics?

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria. Prebiotics are food for those bacteria. Synbiotics combine both. In this analysis, none of these supplements (alone or with iron) showed important effects on hemoglobin or anemia in children.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJan 2026

PMID42525637

View Original Abstract ↓

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on hemoglobin levels and anemia in the pediatric population. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched up to August 2025. We included RCTs assessing prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics on hemoglobin or anemia in children. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed, and certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE and minimal important differences. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251108276). RESULTS: Nineteen RCTs involving 4188 children were included. Compared to placebo or standard care, prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics (alone or with iron) showed no important effects on hemoglobin, hematocrit, or ferritin (certainty: high to very low). However, probiotics versus placebo may reduce anemia (1 RCT; RD: --6 per 100; 95% CI: --15 to +6, low certainty). No serious adverse events were reported; observed events were mainly mild gastrointestinal symptoms. CONCLUSION: Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics do not provide clinically important benefits on hemoglobin or anemia in children, although they appear safe. Larger, high-quality trials in high-risk populations are needed.

Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics do not provide clinically important benefits on hemoglobin or ferritin in childrenReview of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Treating Anemia in Children

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

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Prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics do not provide clinically important benefits on hemoglobin or ferritin in childrenReview of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Treating Anemia in Children

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

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